Vaporizer for refrigerating apparatus



Oct. 10, 1933. F. G. SLAGEL ,9

7 VAPORIZER FOR REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed April 1, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 10,- 1933. F. G. SLAGEL 1,929,936

VAPORIZER FOR REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed April 1, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 10, 1933 VAPORIZER FOE REFRIGERATIN I APPARATUS J Franklin G. Slagel, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor to Fedders Manufacturing Company, Inc., Buflalo', N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 1, 1929. Serial No. 351,809 3 Claims. (01. 62-126) er plate had to be removed whenever access to.

the interior of the vaporizing chamber was nec essary for inspection, adjustment and repairs of any of the working parts.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a vaporizerfor this purpose in which the head or header plate is permanently secured to the body of the vaporizing chamber and to so organize the various working parts such as the screen, needle seat, needle valve and parts associated therewith, that the same can be removed from the outer side of the vaporizer for inspection, adjustment and repairs without disconnecting the head or header plate from the body, thereby not only reducing the cost of manufacture but also facilitating servicing of the apparatus when this becomes necessary or desirable.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved float mechanism for automatically operating the inlet valve in response to variations of the liquid level in the vaporizing chamber which float mechanism includes an open top float pivoted at one end on a wall of the vaporizing chamber, and an outlet pipe extending downwardly into the float adjacent to the bottom thereof.

In the accompanying drawings:--

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a 40 vaporizer embodying my improvements.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 2'-2 Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the apparatus taken on line 3-3 Fig. 1, looking upwardly. In the following description similar characters indicate. like parts in the several flames of the drawings:-

The numeral 10 represents the vaporizing chamber which is adapted to receive a liquid refrigerant such as ethyl chloride under pres- .sure from any suitable source, such as a pump or compressor, and supply the same to the cooling coils or conduits arranged in the compartment to be cooled, and also to deliver the vaporized refrigerant and any oil contained therein to the mechanism whereby the vaporized re-. frigerant is again converted into liquid form and the heat is abstracted therefrom preparatory to again returning this liquid refrigerant to the vaporizing chamber. 4

In its preferred form this vaporizing chamber is formed within a container having a tubular body 11 made of sheet metal and arranged with its axis horizontal, a rear sheet metal head 12 secured permanently to the rear end of this 5 body, and a front head or header plate 13 which is preferably made of cast metal and secured to the front end of the body 11by brazing, soldering or other suitable means so that this front head and the body are permanently connected and inseparable by ordinary means after the apparatus has been completely assembled and ready for use.

The liquid refrigerant is supplied to the interior of the vaporizing chamber adjacent to the lower end thereof and the vaporized liquid and any oil contained therein is discharged from this chamber through an outlet arranged adjacent to the top thereof, and the vaporization of the liquid is effected mainly by means of coils. so tubes or other conduits, such for example as the tubes or coils 14 which communicate at their upper ends with the lower part of the vaporizing chamber and extend into the space or compart ment which is to be cooled so that the heat of the latter will operate to boil the refrigerant in the tubes 14 and generate a vapor.

The liquid refrigerant is supplied by a pipe 15 and conducted into the lower part of the vaporizing chamber by a conduit comprising a cut-off valve chamber 16, formed in the casing 17 of a cut-off valve, a screen chamber 18 formed on the outer side of the lower part of the head 13 and a controlling valve chamber 19 extending inwardly from the lower part of the innerside of the head-13 axially in line with the screen chamber. 1

The casing 1'7 of the inlet shut-off valve is detachably connected with the head 13 and forms a closure for the outer end of the screen chamber 18. This detachable connection preferably consists of screws or bolts 20 connecting lugs 21 on opposite sides of the inlet cut-ofl valve casing with the adjacent parts of the vaporizing chamber head 13, and a leak-tight joint is produced between this casing 17 and the head 13 of the vaporizing chamber by means of an annular flange 22 arranged around the outer end of the screen. chamber 18, and engaging in an annular groove 23 on the inner is effected by the usual clamping sleeve, 25. which has a screw: connection with the casing:

this groove 23 andthe end of the flange 22, as shown in Fig. 1.

The connection betweenthe liquid refrigerant supply pipe and the shut-off valve casing 17 17 and serves to clamp a= flange 28 on the pipe.

15 between this sleeve and the inlet nipple 2'7 on the casing 17, as shown in Fig. 2.

Within the casing 17 is arranged a valve 28 which, may be engagedwith a seat 29 in this casing for the pin-pose of cutting off the flow of refrigerant to the vaporizing chamber when the apparatus requires inspection, adjustment or repairing and this valveis moved away from its seat in order to permit the refrigerant to enter the vaporizing; chamber when the apparatus isinusei This movement of the valve is effected by mounting the same on' a valve stem 30 which hasa screw connection 31 with the valvecasing 17, a stufllng box 32 whereby a leak-tight joint is produced between'the outer part of this stem and the casing 17, and a screw cap 33 which is detachably-comiected with the casing 17 and encloses the outer end of the valve stem 30 so that tampering with the valv 28 is not likely to occur.

Within the screen chamber 18 is arranged a screen for the purpose of removing from the liquid refrigerant any impurities or large particles contained therein before this liquid reaches the interior of the vaporizing chamber.

This screen in its preferred construction has a cylindrical body 34 which is of smaller diameter than the bore of the screen chamber 18 so as to form an annular space between this bore and the body of the screen. The outer end of this screen is open and secured by means of a solder joint 35 to the inner side ofthe casing 17 so that the interior of this screen communicates with "the passage or port of this casing and the inner end of this screen is closed by a head 36 of screen material.

By this construction the screen is removed from the screen chamber whenever the casing 17 of the inlet shut-oi! valve is removed from the head 13, thereby permitting'the inspection,

' adjustment and repairing of the valve mechanism to be effected more conveniently.

The numeral 37 represents a tubular plug or bushing which is screwed into an opening formed in the wall or that part of the head 13 between the screen chamber, 18 and the conat the inner end of the screen chamber 18.

Communication between the valve chamber 19 and the interior of the vaporizing chamber is preferably effected by means of an opening 40 extending from the underside of the valve chamber 19 into the lower part of the vaporizing chamber, shown in Fla. 1.

Within the controlling valve chamber 19 is arranged a controllingv valve 41 which is preferably of conical or needle shape and movable toward and from a valve seat 42 on the inner end of the bushing 37 around the axial passage thei-ein. This needle valve is formed. on the outer end of a horizontally and longitudinally slidable valve stem 43 which is guided in an opening 44 in the inner wall of the valve chamber 19.

Within the vaporizing chamber is arranged a float which is responsive to the rising and falling of the liquid level within this chamber, which motion is utilized to control the opening and closing of the needle valve 41 so as to permit the entrance of refrigerating liquid into the vaporizing chamber when the liquid level in the latter is below normal and againv closes this valve so as to cut. off the further entrance of the liquid refrigerant into this chamber when the liquid has risen to the normal level.

In the preferred form of the float, shown in Fig. 1, the same has the shape of a pan which is open at the top, but provided. with a tight bottom 45 and a tight upright wall 46 extending upwardly from the edge of this bottom- Motion is transmitted from this float to the valve stem 43 by means of .a three armed lever which is arranged between two pivot lugs 47 projecting inwardly from the head 13' on opposite sides of the valve chamber 19 and a pivot pin 48 passing horizontally and transversely through this lever and said lugs so that the float and this lever are capable of moving vertically about a horizontal axis.- This lever is provided with an inner arm 49 secured to the underside of the outer part of the float by soldering, brazing or otherwise, an upwardly'projecting arm 50stranged adjacent to the outer side of the float and engaging with the inner end of the valve stem 43 and a lower stop arm 51 projecting outwardly and adapted to engage with the underside of the wall of the chamber 19 for the purpose of limiting the descent of the float within 116 the vaporizing chamber. I

When the float descends below its normal position due to the level of the liquid refrigerant therein dropping below normal, then the operating lever is turned so that the upper arm 50 120 moves inwardly and thereby permits the controlling valve 41 to be opened by the pressure of the liquid refrigerant against the face of this valve and pass into the valve chamber 19 and H outthrough the port 40 into the'vaporizing 126 chamber.

As the float while added liquid refrigerant is being supplied to the vaporizing chamber, the upper arm 50 of the controlling lever pushes the valve 41 outwardly and when the normal 130 level of the liquid has been restored in the va- )porizing chamber then the float would have risen far enough to cause the controlling lever to push the valve 41 against its seat 42 and thereby cut of! the further admission of liquid refrigerant into the vaporizing chamber.

If for any reason the joint between the valve 41 and its seat 42 should become worn or engage each other imperfectly so that the admission of liquid refrigerant would not be under control, then the valve casing 17 is first removed, followed by the removal of the valve seat bushing 37, after which the valve 41 and its stem 43 may be removed forwardly from the chamber 19 and -1 to the exterior of the vaporizer without interfering with the controlling lever and the float, thereby permitting the last two members to remain permanently within the vaporizing chamber inasmuch as the same rarely if ever valve stem 43 immediately in rear of the valve 41 with an annular groove 71, which groove can be engaged by a fork-shaped tool or similar instrument applied thereto from the exterior of the vaporizer and thus permit of removing this valve without disturbing the internal mechanism of the vaporizing chamber.

- The vapor which is generated by the heating of the liquid refrigerant in the coils or pipes 14 passes from the upper part of the vaporizing chamber above the' liquid level out through a vapor delivery conduit formed partly by an outlet pipe 52 which is arranged within the vaporizing chamber and the casing 53 of an outlet shut-ofi valve. The outlet pipe 52 is preferable of L-shaped form and secured with the end of its horizontal branch in an opening 54 in the upper part of the head 13, while the inner vertical branch of this pipe projects downwardly into the float and terminates with its lower end adjacent to the bottom thereof. As thevapor in the vaporizing chamber is subjected to pressure due to the generation of this vapor the same passes from the upper part of the vaporizing chamber downwardly into the pan shaped float, then upwardly through the vertical leg or branch of the outlet pipe 52 and thence forwardly through the horizontal branch thereof and through the casing 53 of the outlet shut-off valve, which casing contains a valve chamber 55 connected by a coupling sleeve 56 with a pipe 57 leading to the condenser and the compressor or pump which operate to abstract the heat from the vapor and again return the resulting liquid refrigerant to the vaporizing chamber.

The outlet shut-off valve casing 53 is detachably connected with the upper part of the outer side of the front head 13 by means of screws 58 passing through lugs 59 on opposite sides of the casing 53 and a leak-tight joint is produced between this casing 53'and the head 13 by means of an annular flange 60 arranged around the outlet passage 54 and engaging in an annular groove 61 on the inner side of the casing 53, and a packing 62 interposed between the bottom of the groove 61 and the flange 60, as shown in Fig. 1.

Within the valve casing 53 is arranged a valve 63 for the purposes of closing the passage through this valve casing whenever this is necessary while, the refrigerating apparatus is being dismembered for inspection, adjustment or repairs. This valve is movable toward and from a seat 64 and is mounted on a valve stem 65 having a screw connection 66 with the casing 53 and passing through a stufling box 67 in the outer part of this casing so as to avoid leakage. The outer end of this valve stem is covered so as to avoid tampering with the same, by means of a screw cap 68 enclosing the outer end of this stem and detachably connected with the adjacent part of the casing 53, as shown in Fig. 2.

Any oil or foam which may gather on top of the liquid refrigerant in the vaporizing chamber flows over the upper edge of the pan shaped float into the interior thereof, and is then carried outwardly by suction through the delivery pipe 52 with the vapors to the condenser and the compressor pump.

It will be noted that in this vaporizer the screen, needle valve seat and the needle controlling valve are removable from the exterior of the vaporizing chamber without necessitating opening up the vaporizing chamber itself. This eliminates the necessity of employing separate mounting rings on the vaporzing. chamber and instead permits the front head or header plate of the vaporizer chamber to be made in one piece and permanently connected with the body or wall of this chamber. Moreover the cost of manufacture is reduced inasmuch as it avoids the necessity of drilling a plurality of holes in the header plate and dispenses with the use of cap screws which have heretofore been employed for detachably connecting the header plate with the ring on the vaporizing chamber. Due to this permanent connection between the front header plate or head with the cylinder of the body or vaporizing chamber, it

is possible to maintain a perfect seal between this front header plate and the body by means of a solder joint which is not subsequently disturbed.

Owing to the facility with which the screen, the needle valve seat, and the needle valve may be removed from the exterior of the apparatus it is possible to service this apparatus much more conveniently, quickly and economically than has been possible heretofore,'thereby reducing the cost of maintenance. Moreover the extension of the outlet pipe 52 into the open top float to a point near the bottom thereof causes this float to operate both as the means for automatically controlling the inlet valve in. response to variations in the height of the liquid level in the vaporizing chamber, and as the means for producing a quiet zone at the outlet of the vaporizing chamber and ensure a steady discharge of the vaporized liquid and an oil which may be carried from the liquid refrigerant over into the float.

I claim as my invention:-

1. A vaporizer for refrigerating apparatus comprising a tubular body and a head secured to said body and having a passage for a refrigerant, and a flange around said passage on the exterior of said head, a shut-off valve having a casing provided with a passage adapted to communicate with the passage of said head and having a groove around the last mentioned passage on the exterior of the casing, which groove receives said flange, a packing between said groove and flange and screws connecting said head and casing.

2. A vaporizer for refrigerating apparatus comprising a vaporizing chamber adapted to contain a refrigerant and having a body and a head secured to said body, said head being provided with a valve chamber communicating with said vaporizing chamber, a tubular plug secured in the outer end of said valve chamber and provided with an inwardly facing valve seat, a valve stem slidable in the inner wall of said valve chamber and provided at its outer end with a valve face adapted to engage said seat, and a float mechanism arranged within said vaporizing chamber and actuating said valve stem, said valve stem being provided adjacent to said valve with an annular groove for engagement by a tool; whereby the valve and stem may be withdrawn outwardly from said valve chamber.

3. A vaporizer for refrigerating apparatus comprising a vaporizing chamber adapted to contain a refrigerant and having a body and a seat, a valve stem slidable in the inner wall of said valve chamber and provided at its outer end with a valve face adapted to engage said seat, and a float mechanism arranged within said vaporizing chamber and actuating said valve stem and including a float responding to variations in the liquid level in said vaporizing chamber, the inner side of said vaporizing. chamber head having an inwardly projecting pivot lug on the side of said valve chamber and a" stop face on the under side of said valve chamber, and a lever pivoted on said lug and having an inwardly projecting arm secured to said float, an upwardly projecting arm engaging the inner end of said valve stem, and an outwardly projecting arm engageable with said stop face.

4. A vaporizer for refrigerating apparatus comprising a vaporizing chamber adapted to contain a refrigerant and having a body and a head secured to said body, said head being provided with a valve chamber communicating with said vaporizing chamber, a tubular plug secured in the outer end of said valve chamber and provided with an inwardly facing valve seat, a valve stem slidable in the inner wallof said valve chamber and provided at its outer end with a valve face adapted to engage said seat, a floatmechanism arranged within said vaporizing chamber and actuating said valve'stem, the float mechanism including a pan, and an outlet pipe projecting downwardly into said pan adjacent to the bottom thereof.

-5. A vaporizer. for refrigerating apparatus comprising a vaporizing chamber provided with a head having an inlet and an outlet, valve means for controlling said inlet including a 010- sure movable toward and from a seat in said inlet, a lever pivoted on said head and actuating said closure, and an open top float connected to said lever, and an outlet pipe extending from said outlet into said float near the bottom thereof and freely spaced therefrom.

6. A vaporizer for refrigerating apparatus comprising a vaporizing chamber provided with a head having an inlet and an outlet, valve .means for controlling said inlet including a closure movable toward and from a seat in said inlet, and an open top float arranged in said chamber and pivotally mounted at one end on said head and adapted to actuate said closure, and an outlet pipe extending from the interior of said float to said outlet and freely spaced therefrom.

7. In an evaporator for refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a casing structure having an upright wall with an inlet passage for liquid refrigerant and an outlet passage for gaseous refrigerant and oil; a valve for controlling the said inlet passage; an open topped, cup shaped float pivotally mounted in the evaporator for actuating said valve; and a discharge con-' duit for gas and oil connected to said outlet passage and having its inlet within the cavity of the float and freely spaced therefrom.

8. In an evaporator for refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a casing structure having an upright wall with an inlet passage for liquid refrigerant and an outlet passage for gaseous refrigerant and oil; a valve for control- 

